CEBU remains free of the Zika virus despite reports of an American testing positive for contracting it while in the country last January.
Dr. Van Phillip Baton, coordinator for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease Program of the Department of Health (DOH-7), asked Cebuanos not to panic and instead go to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for testing.
“Those highly suspected cases of Zika virus can undergo Real-Time Polyramerase Chain Reaction (RT PCR) test at the VSMMC as designated in the region,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Baton said RT PCR test is free and is done through blood samples.
Those who contracted the virus display symptoms like fever, rash, and conjunctivitis, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and vomiting that lasts for two to seven days.
The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito, the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
Pregnant women who are more vulnerable are advised to avoid mosquito bites especially during day time and undergo consultations when symptoms are detected.
So far, there is no available vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection.
Dr. Baton advised the public to observe the 4S, namely, search and destroy of mosquito breeding places, self-protection measures, seek early consultations for fever lasting more than two days and say yes to fogging.
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